About Camp Whirlygig
Camp Whirlygig is an all-new summer camp at the Wenham Museum in partnership with the Wenham Village Improvement Society (WVIS). Geared to young campers ages 4 -7, Camp Whirlygig fosters fun, friendship, and curiosity. With a 1:5 counselor to camper ratio, a caring and supportive environment will create a comfortable summer camp experience for younger children.
Young campers will enjoy open-ended, child-centered arts enrichments in studio art, dance and drama; explorations related to museum exhibitions, local history, and culture; STEM and STEAM experiments; mindfulness and movement experiences designed to support emotional development; outdoor recreation and games; tennis; free play on the playground; and friendship-building activities within camper groups.
There is a half day or a full day option for camp. Early drop-off and late pick-up is available.
Day Camp – Half Day (Ages 4 – 7)
Camper drop-off: 8:45 a.m.
Camper pick-up: 12:00 p.m.
Early drop off available starting at 7:45 a.m.
Day Camp – Full Day (Ages 4 – 7)
Camper drop-off: 8:45 a.m.
Camper pick-up: 3:15 p.m.
Early drop-off available starting at 7:45 a.m.
Extended pickup available until 4:30 p.m.
Each week, Camp Whirlygig will have a different theme to guide activities and enrichment opportunities. A special guest or walkable field trip on Fridays will round out the week.
Camp activities will take place within the galleries, program spaces, and lawn of the Wenham Museum and the playground, field, and tennis courts owned by WVIS behind the historic Wenham Tea House. Camper drop-off and pick-up will occur at the Wenham Museum. Campers must be four years old by June 1, 2023 and bathroom independent to attend camp.
Fees & Payments
Camp Tuition
Camp tuition is assessed on a weekly basis. Members of the Wenham Museum and members of the Wenham Village Improvement Society receive discounted camp tuition. Additional discounts are available for siblings (10%) and those enrolling for multiple weeks (10%). (Note: The multiweek discount cannot be combined with any other discount.) Wenham residents receive early access to registration.
FULL DAY (Ages 4 – 7)
WVIS Member – Weekly Rate: $465.00
Wenham Museum Member – Weekly Rate: $465.00
General Public – Weekly Rate: $495.00
HALF DAY (Ages 4 – 7)
WVIS Member – Weekly Rate: $280.00
Wenham Museum Member – Weekly Rate: $280.00
General Public – Weekly Rate: $295.00
EARLY DROP-OFF
$25.00 per week per camper
Available for half-day and full-day camp
LATE PICK-UP
$25.00 per week per camper
Note: Late pick-up is available only to those enrolled in full day camp.
Camp Sessions
Camp will run for six weeks:
- Week 1: Monday, July 3, Wednesday July 5 – Friday, July 7 (No Camp on July 4th)
- Week 2: Monday, July 10 – Friday, July 14
- Week 3: Monday, July 17 – Friday, July 21
- Week 4: Monday, July 24 – Friday, July 28
- Week 5: Monday, July 31 – Friday, Aug. 4
- Week 6: Monday, Aug. 7 – Friday, Aug. 11
Registration Fee
A non-refundable registration fee of $50.00 per camper is due at the time of pre-registration. This registration fee is separate from the weekly camp deposit. If you are pre-registering more than one child, please complete a separate form for each child.
Tuition Deposit
In the pre-registration form below, we require a deposit of $100.00 for each week you wish to enroll your child in camp. If you are pre-registering more than one child, please complete a separate form for each child. Deposits are refundable less a $20.00 fee prior to March 31, 2023.
Camp tuition must be paid in full two weeks prior to your camper’s start date. Tuition will be invoiced and payment plans may be arranged on or after March 1, 2023 through the museum’s forthcoming camp management system, Camp Brain.
Priority Registration
Members of the Wenham Museum, members of the Wenham Village Improvement Society, and Wenham residents receive priority pre-registration per the following dates:
January 20, 2023: Wenham Museum Members & WVIS Members
January 30, 2023: Wenham residents (at the time of camp)
February 10, 2023: General public
Note: Priority pre-registration is on the honor system. However, registrations will be reviewed to ensure active membership status. We also require that those registering as Wenham residents will be residents during the time that camp is operating this summer (July 3 – August 11, 2023).
Discounts
The following choice of discounts are available:
- Family Discount: Siblings receive a 10% discount on camp tuition for any weeks when multiple siblings are enrolled.
- Multi-Week Discount: Campers who register for multiple weeks receive a 10% discount on camp tuition.
- Note: The multiweek discount cannot be combined with any other discount.
Discounts and final amounts owed will be calculated when you finalize your enrollment through the museum’s camp management software, Camp Brain.
Payment Plans
Payment plans can be set up on or after March 1, 2023 through the museum’s camp management software, Camp Brain.
Weekly Themes
Week of July 3: Build It!
Special Event: Cardboard Warriors
Explore various buildng materials and experiment with engineering in the art studio, science lab and camp spaces during the week. Culminate the experience on Friday with a Cardboard Building Championship. Campers will dream big as they build colossal forts, racing robots and toppling towers. Which camper team will be crowned cardboard champions?
Week of July 10: Magic & Wonder
Special Event: Magic Show with Pete the Magician
Everyday is magic as campers experiment with art and science materials that produce magical outcomes during the week, discover the laws of physics through games and activities and embrace the wonder of the world around us. On Friday, join us for a real live magic show complete with a bunny assistant! Will you make some magic with us this week?
Week of July 17: All About Animals
Special Event: Pony Rides & Goat Petting
Animals are always a favorite topic in the art studio where campers will learn to draw, paint and sculpt animal-themed art. In science explore life cycles, habitats and animal traits. Pretend to be animals in dramatic play and yoga and search for animal clues in our outdoor spaces. On Friday, enjoy a pony ride and pet some goats during a special visit from Hunters Haven Farm. Which animals do you love best?
Week of July 24: Community
Special Event: Walking Field Trip to the Police Station, Fire Station, and Post Office
Campers examine historical museum artifacts to discover the role of community throughout the week. They learn how people of all ages – including children – are important members of a community. We will finish the week with a walking field trip visiting our local community helpers – the firefighters, police officers, and postal workers – who will share what they do as part of their jobs. Won’t you be our neighbor this week?
Week of July 31: Galaxy Week
Special Event: Rey and Darth Vader Visit & Provide Jedi Training
This week is literally out of this world as campers explore the concepts of space travel and how the human fascination with space has impacted popular culture. Glow in the art studio just like stars in a night sky. Become rocket scientists in the science lab. Learn about space age toys and play space-themed games. On Friday we have special guests visiting from a galaxy far, far away. Join us are Rey and Darth Vader provide some Jedi training! Will the force be with you?
Week of Aug. 7: Time Travelers
Special Event: Penny Carnival – a WVIS tradition!
Travel through time playing games from decades past, becoming historical re-enactors in dramatic play, learning retro dances, viewing toys from past generations, and more. On Friday, join us for a boisterous and busy “Penny Carnival” complete with games, prizes, and a special guest who will provide spin art frisbees and painted plaster figurines! What is your favorite blast from the past?
Support
Scholarships
Scholarships are available through the Wenham Village Improvement Society for those families requiring assistance with camp fees. Please contact WVIS Co-President Bethany Minich via e-mail for scholarship opportunities.
Sponsor a Camper
If you wish to support a camp experience for a child in need this summer, please mail your donation to the Wenham Village Improvement Society. P.O. Box 554, Wenham, MA 01984 with the notation “Camp Scholarship” in the memo line of your check. Online giving for this purpose is coming soon. You may make unrestricted donations in support of the Wenham Village Improvement Society online here.
Special Thanks
The Wenham Museum would like to recognize the generosity and leadership of the Wenham Village Improvement Society (WVIS) in bringing Camp Whirlygig to life. As the founder of the Wenham Museum, WVIS has always been an important partner. With this collaboration and with their generous grant to underwrite the launch of Camp Whirlygig with the Wenham Museum, they have demonstrated incredible commitment to this community and its heritage as well as the families we serve. In this, the museum’s 100th year, it’s especially gratifying to launch a new, forward-looking program that brings the best of our traditions forward for new generations.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact our Camp Director during regular business hours, Monday – Friday:
Margaurita Spear
Museum Educator
E-mail | (978) 468-2377, ext. 119
Camp Forms
Forms to Complete & Upload into CampBrain
2023 Medication Administration Form CWG
Note: Vaccination information is requested due to state-mandated requirements in order to run Camp Whirlygig as an approved recreational camp.
Documents for Your Review/Information
Meningococcal Disease and Camps
2023 Family and Camper Handbook CWG
Employment
Looking for a summer Job? Join us at Camp Whirlygig!
We are hiring for all positions for our summer camp: activity specialists, counselors, health office and more! Click below for details and to apply!
Camp Whirlygig is in regulatory compliance with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations for recreational camps 105 CMR 430.00.
Parents may request copies of background check, health care and discipline policies as well as procedures for filing grievances from Camp Whirlygig at any time.